Act now to Protect the Salmon Huckleberry Roadless Area and the Clackamas Watershed from Logging

6/1 FOREST SERVICE RAIDS ROAD BLOCKADE AT EAGLE TIMBER SALES AND JEOPARDIZES THE LIVES OF PROTESTERS -- 2 ARRESTED
On Tuesday, June 1, the Forest Service began attempting to remove protesters who had been successfully blocking the road to the Eagle timber sales for over a week. As of 12:30 pm they had declared the area a crime scene and used a crane to reach one protester suspended over 70 feet in a platform above the road. Witnesses say the protester was holding on for his life by his arms as the crane lowered his platform with no emergency medical technicians on hand. The activist was arrested immediately upon reaching the ground. One protester remained in a platform 30 feet above the ground tied to the gate but was removed and arrested at 1:30 pm. Large banners at the blockade declared: "Stop Logging Eagle Creek," "Forest Service, Stop Logging Our Watershed," and "Stop the Timber Empire, May the Forest be with You." After arresting the two at the blockade, Forest Service tree climbers were sent six miles up the road to apparently remove several tree sitters. The public is being prevented from observing what is happening with the tree sitters at this time.

6/1 A PLEA FOR HELP
We need you to support the Eagle Creek Direct Action! We have temporarily stopped logging but we cannot block the road indefinately. Sooner or later they will remove our blockade and once again the roar of chainsaws will echo through this native forest. The only thing that can truly prevent this environmental catastrophe is a massive public outcry. We need you to call the people listed on the 'more ways to help page' Tell them to buy Eagle back from Vanport. Tell them you don't want them logging in your watershed. Tell them to get out of YOUR public forests. Come out to Eagle Creek. Camp with us at the gate to show your support. Don't assume someone else will do it, that someone is YOU. To those of you who have already helped us so much, and those of you who are about to; we thank you, the forest thanks you.

5/31 ACTIVISTS FORTIFY BLOCKADE WITH NEW PLATFORM
Exactly one week after we succesfully stopped logging operations, we have enhanced our blockade with a new platform. We call this one Liftoff. A rope leads from the top of the bipod up to a pully that is hanging off a traverse set at 60'. The rope feeds through the pully and a platform hangs off the end. The platform is 4' by 8' and sits 50' above the ground. It is rumored that the Forest Service will attempt to remove our blockade after memorial day. We hope that this new design will further hinder their efforts.

5/26 ANGRY REDNECKS ATTACK
On Wednesday at 1pm three men drove up in a truck and jumped out. They immediately began yelling at our activists. One man headed for the support rope brandishing a knife. As the man grasped the rope, a brave activist intervened, pushing the man away. They scuffled for a moment and then the men returned to their truck and drove away. It is not known if the men were connected to logging operations. In all fairness, this was an isolated incident, we have recieved overwhelming support from the locals who don't want to see their forest cut either.

5/25 BIPOD SITTER ENDANGERED / HARRASSED
On tuesday at aprx. 3am our bipod sitter was awoken by men with flashlights pulling on the support rope. " The entire structure was shaking violently and my platform was slamming into the poles. Honestly, I was very afraid, it was dark and I thought I was being dropped. " said the sitting activist. Our activist could not clearly see the men but belives they were law enforcement officers.

5/24 ACTIVISTS BLOCK THE ROAD
On monday during the wee hours of the morning Eagle activists erected a 30' bipod to block access to the lower road at the Eagle timber sale. This blockade was a response to the commencement of logging activities the week prior. It is important to note that the Forest Service locked the gate leading to this area two weeks earlier. They blocked the road to the public, so we have blocked it to them. The bipod itself is constructed of two 30' poles with a platform hanging off the apex. It leans backward and is tied off to the locked gate. We have named the structure Launchpad.

5/17 ILLEGAL LOGGING BEGINS
Red Alert, logging has begun. Monday, loggers started work in Unit 5 of the Eagle Sale. Native Timber is falling right now, and we need your help to stop it. Unit 5 is on the lower road near Unit 2. According to the Eagle Record of Decision logging is only supposed to occur between June 1st and October 31st "to protect soil and water resources." This is the second year in a row the Forest Service has ignored rules designed to protect soil and water quality in a watershed that provides drinking water for over 175,000 downstream users. Please contact the Forest Service officials and the Legislators listed on the 'how you can help' page. Tell them to stop logging at Eagle Creek. To help with the Direct Action please Email us at eagleaction@hotmail.com, check out our wish list to se how you can contribute, or just come out to visit the Tree Sit. Get involved now! Only you can stop the destruction of you public forests.

5/14 FOREST SERVICE CLOSES ROAD
At 2 pm Friday the U.S.F.S. law enforcement locked the gate on the road 6 miles before the Tree Sit. Activists parked on the road were told to leave and escorted out of the area by law enforcement officers. Forest Service officers stated that the closed road was a motor vehicle closure only, and that we were allowed to reenter the area by any other means. They said that purpose of the closure was to deprive the tree sit of supplies. The tree sit is equipped with months of supplies. As of now (the time of the alert), the road is also under 24 hour surveillance.

5/11 TREE SIT DISCOVERED!
On Wednesday the Forest Service finally found our tree sit. We had been living in the trees for three weeks prior.

-- Information courtesy of Cascadia Forest Alliance and Oregon Wildlife Federation

The US Forest Service auctioned the Eagle Timber sales in December 1996 despite oposition from numerous environmental groups, elected officials, and citizens. Sold under the provisions of hte "Salvage Logging Rider," the sale could not be appealed. The Cascadia Forest Alliance documented numerous violations of the Northwest Forest Plan before logging began in April 1998. The Forest Service refused to respond to these concerns in a publci forum and even allowed logging to begin before June 1st, ignoring seasonal logging restrictions designed to protect soil and water quality outlined in the Environmental Impact Statement.

It is estimated that about 1/3 of the sale was logged in 1998, including a clearcut of massive Noble Firs along the Old Baldy Spur Trail. Logging of the remaining 2/3 of the area could begin at any time, presenting an unacceptable threat to the Salmon Huckleberry Roadless Area, the Old Baldy Trail, and the quality of water for over 185,000 residents of Clackamas County.